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Repair Stained fingers/removing stubborn paint in a delicate area?

Jun 17, 2023

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    1. Hello! I just got a 2003 Volks Myu off of Mandarake who is in lovely condition despite her age (she looks way less yellow irl than in this poorly-lit photo, lol), but since she was originally a kit, her previous owner did a fair amount of painting and customizing on her! (She really brightened up after I took off all the old sealant!) Previously, her nails were painted hot pink. Which is very cute! But I prefer a natural nail look so I don't need to worry about fixing scrapes and chips in the blushing all the time.

      Most of it came off okay, but there is some paint in the nail beds and in a scratch on one nail that just will NOT come off. I've done several rounds of acetone with all kinds of teeny scrapers and q tips, several rounds of scrubbing with a melamine sponge (NOT with the acetone), and I left the fingertips to soak for an hour in 70% isopropyl alcohol. It HAS NOT BUDGED!!

      [​IMG]

      My guess is that the resin was not sealed prior to painting the nails, and after sitting for ostensibly two decades.....yeah, it's pretty stuck. I'm hesitant to sand or soak it in stronger alcohol for fear of damaging/breaking the very delicate little fingers or losing detail altogether!

      Is there another method to gently remove this paint, or should I suck it up and repaint the nails?
       
      #1 chatdemon, Jun 17, 2023
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    2. I saw someone recommend on another thread to soak a toothpick in the alcohol and use it to then pick at the paint. I'm relatively sure you'll be able to get it off if you are really dedicated, it's sometimes just a pain.

      Even if you like the natural look I think if you seal the hands and use pastel to give a softer pigment on the nails instead of harsh bright paint you would blend away the appearance of what remains now and still have a nice natural nail.

      Good luck!
       
      #2 AlisonVonderland, Jun 17, 2023
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    3. I've found that if I'm working on a doll and can't get the sealant all off, setting it to the side and letting it sit for a few days results in me being able to get it off the second time I try, even after washing the acetone/alcohol off with water first. I'd say give it a few days or a week and try the process over again.
       
      #3 cosmicakes, Jun 17, 2023
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    4. I think if you go through the cleaning rounds again and still aren't making any progress, then the next step is sandpaper.
       
      #4 idrisfynn, Jun 18, 2023
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    5. Yup. My go to is indeed to soak a toothpick in Windsor and Newton Brush Cleaner, then using the tip to scrub into crevices. It's very soft wood so it should scrub without scratching. If you have cotton swabs with the cardboardy rolled paper stem, you can cut one of those at a sharp angle and use it the same way.
       
      #5 Rosslyn, Jul 12, 2023
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    6. Also, when you use alcohol, you need the 90% isopropyl. And it sounds weird, but I've had some luck with chipping at paint very gently with needles if all else fails.
       
      #6 DraloreShimare, Jul 18, 2023
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